Hello all. Newbie from Missouri here. I have decided to upgrade from my older 2002 Yamaha Beartracker 250 to a new Polaris. I have been researching and went to two local dealers to look at them and talked to one salesperson which I liked. I have kind of narrowed down to a midsize 500 model because I am a basic weekend rider. I will be using it for hunting and riding around on local trails with my wife on the back. Nothing to hard. We have been doing this for a long time on the little Beartracker so anything will be an upgrade.
My questions are: Does anyone know of the the dealer around St. Louis or Southeast Missouri to get the best price? What is a fair price on a 2011 500 HO? Should I consider a 2010 500 HO 2UP for around $6500 new? What are downfalls or benefits to the 2UP models in lew of the standard 500 HO? I found one leftover and available and discounted.
I will let you know what happens with my purchase.
Thanks for all the help and information in advance!
JUSTICE

Hello all. Newbie from Missouri here. I have decided to upgrade from my older 2002 Yamaha Beartracker 250 to a new Polaris. I have been researching and went to two local dealers to look at them and talked to one salesperson which I liked. I have kind of narrowed down to a midsize 500 model because I am a basic weekend rider. I will be using it for hunting and riding around on local trails with my wife on the back. Nothing to hard. We have been doing this for a long time on the little Beartracker so anything will be an upgrade.
My questions are: Does anyone know of the the dealer around St. Louis or Southeast Missouri to get the best price? What is a fair price on a 2011 500 HO? Should I consider a 2010 500 HO 2UP for around $6500 new? What are downfalls or benefits to the 2UP models in lew of the standard 500 HO? I found one leftover and available and discounted.
I will let you know what happens with my purchase.
Thanks for all the help and information in advance!
JUSTICE

I just purchased a 2011 500 HO and got helmet and ramps for truck and 3 yr warranty $7200 out the door tax fees etc.

As far as price, net dealer profit on most machines range about $700-$1000 dollars, before any fright and set up fees. If i were buying, my first negoitation step would be to get the rebate off of MSRP offered by polaris, and zero freight and set up fees. (Tax and license is what it is, those are state fees. Just make sure you know what they should be, so the dealer doesnt add a paper prep fee.)

Anything on top of the rebate that you can get the dealer to mark off is just gravey to you. Each dealer is different, but $200-$500 off, plus the rebate, plus no extra fees can be found, and is a pretty good deal.

Accessories I am going to ask for cost, or 10-15% over their cost. (Average dealer markup on accessories is 20-30%) So basically I am going to be looking for 10-30% of retail.

And if I am having them install accessories, I am going to ask for half off on labor time. Usually, a commission mechanic makes half of the shops hour rate, so that allows the shop to pay the mechanic for the work (which he should get paid) but the shop doesnt really make any money off of the labor.

I would absolutely consider the 2-up 2010 model. A lot of places, and its becoming more and more, is against the law to ride 2-up on a machine not designed for that. You will also find that riding two up will cause you to have to crank the rear shocks to their heighest settings, causing the machine to be more bouncy and rough. It will also be a tight fit, and will be less stabil.

The touring model really excess at carring the passenger. The rear suspension is rolled and mounted behind the weight of the passenger seat, so you still retain the softness in the suspension you want to have. (2-up on a non-2-up machine puts the rear passenger right over the suspension mounts, causing the springs and shocks to compress really easily, making it a rough ride.) The machine is more stable, the passenger has much more comfortable ride. The only down fall is the extend lenght of the machine, about 10" and that only slightly extends the turning radius. On trails and weekend riding, you wont notice the length. Also, i believe the touring, and I know the X2 come with turf mode, allowing you to unlock the rear differental, allowing you to turn tighter much like a 1-up machine would.

I just orderrd it friday, should receive paperwork today or tomorrow and my understandung is, I have to get a title application that's it, no registration so I shouldn't have to pay taxes on it. I don't know how true that is though.

I have been searching local newspapers and have found a couple dealers in southen ILL that are advertising 500 HO's for $4,995. I am sure this includes rebates etc. but that leaves me more room for accessories!

I have kind of narrowed down to a midsize 500 model because I am a basic weekend rider. I will be using it for hunting and riding around on local trails with my wife on the back. Nothing to hard. We have been doing this for a long time on the little Beartracker so anything will be an upgrade.
My questions are: Does anyone know of the the dealer around St. Louis or Southeast Missouri to get the best price? What is a fair price on a 2011 500 HO? Should I consider a 2010 500 HO 2UP for around $6500 new? What are downfalls or benefits to the 2UP models in lew of the standard 500 HO? I found one leftover and available and discounted.
I will let you know what happens with my purchase.
Thanks for all the help and information in advance!
JUSTICE

For your needs...I would highly recommend the 2010 500 Touring. Sounds like a really good price...and believe me...your wife will thank you after the first ride.

3. Rear seat. Not sure on the 2010 500 Touring model if the rear seat is removable??? If so...not that big an issue when hunting season comes...so you can use the rear rack. If not...something to consider.